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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lisa Crawley
Date: May 19, 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY PROCLAIMS MAY MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
RALEIGH — Gov. Mike Easley today proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind both motorcyclists and motorists of the importance of motorcycle safety and sharing the road. Spring and summer are popular times for motorcyclists on North Carolina’s highways.
“More than 285,000 North Carolinians ride motorcycles on our highways, as do thousands of riders from outside North Carolina that travel through our state,” Easley said. “Motorists should be mindful to share the road with motorcyclists and, in turn, motorcyclists should take care to obey helmet and traffic laws and make themselves visible to other drivers. Both drivers and riders heeding the traffic laws will ensure safety on our roadways.”
While motorcycles represent 1 percent of all registered vehicles in North Carolina, they account for nearly 9 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. North Carolina has more than 145,000 registered motorcycles and 285,000 licensed drivers who have either a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit.
The following tips will help motorcyclists and motorists travel more safely:
• Always wear a helmet. It is the law in North Carolina. A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury than a helmeted rider.
• Be visible at all times. This includes wearing bright or reflective clothing.
• Share the road. Motorcyclists have the right to a full lane.
• Stay alert. Be aware that motorcycles can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spot; take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic when changing lanes.
• Keep a safe distance. Do not tailgate and allow more following distance behind motorcycles.
• Be cautious. Be aware that turn signals on a motorcycle do not turn off automatically, and some riders may forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.
For more information regarding motorcycle safety, call Beth Horner with the Governor's Highway Safety Program at 919-733-3083, or visit www.ncdot.org/secretary/ghsp.
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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lisa Crawley
Date: May 19, 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY PROCLAIMS MAY MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
RALEIGH — Gov. Mike Easley today proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind both motorcyclists and motorists of the importance of motorcycle safety and sharing the road. Spring and summer are popular times for motorcyclists on North Carolina’s highways.
“More than 285,000 North Carolinians ride motorcycles on our highways, as do thousands of riders from outside North Carolina that travel through our state,” Easley said. “Motorists should be mindful to share the road with motorcyclists and, in turn, motorcyclists should take care to obey helmet and traffic laws and make themselves visible to other drivers. Both drivers and riders heeding the traffic laws will ensure safety on our roadways.”
While motorcycles represent 1 percent of all registered vehicles in North Carolina, they account for nearly 9 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. North Carolina has more than 145,000 registered motorcycles and 285,000 licensed drivers who have either a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit.
The following tips will help motorcyclists and motorists travel more safely:
• Always wear a helmet. It is the law in North Carolina. A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury than a helmeted rider.
• Be visible at all times. This includes wearing bright or reflective clothing.
• Share the road. Motorcyclists have the right to a full lane.
• Stay alert. Be aware that motorcycles can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spot; take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic when changing lanes.
• Keep a safe distance. Do not tailgate and allow more following distance behind motorcycles.
• Be cautious. Be aware that turn signals on a motorcycle do not turn off automatically, and some riders may forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.
For more information regarding motorcycle safety, call Beth Horner with the Governor's Highway Safety Program at 919-733-3083, or visit www.ncdot.org/secretary/ghsp.
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